Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has voiced concerns about a major procurement deal involving the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission.
He claims that the Sh6.5 billion tender for election technology could end up favouring a South Korean company called Miru Systems, also referred to as Miru Technologies.
According to Gachagua, Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo and Belio Kipsang are involved in giving this firm access to Kenya’s voter registration data.
He has publicly questioned the process, suggesting it may not be fair or transparent as the country prepares for the 2027 general election.
The IEBC has pushed back against these claims. The commission states that the experience of the company, the size of the contract, and the technical needs of the system are all important factors.
They say these requirements are necessary to ensure the technology works reliably when millions of Kenyans go to the polls. The IEBC maintains that the procurement is being handled properly and that the focus remains on delivering a secure and efficient system.
This is not the first time questions have been raised about election technology in Kenya. Past elections have seen debates over systems used for voter identification and results transmission.
Many Kenyans still remember the technical challenges that occurred in previous polls, which is why any large tender in this area draws public attention. Gachagua’s comments come at a time when political figures are already positioning themselves ahead of the next election cycle.
By highlighting the tender, he is drawing attention to how public money is being spent and who gets access to sensitive voter information.
Access to registration data is a particularly sensitive matter because it involves personal details of citizens. At the same time, the IEBC has a duty to put in place systems that can handle the scale of a national election.
Modern elections require technology that can register voters accurately, prevent multiple voting, and transmit results quickly and securely.
The commission argues that the chosen approach meets these needs.
Transparency in such processes helps build public trust. Whether Gachagua’s concerns lead to further official scrutiny remains to be seen, but the exchange has already put the Sh6.5 billion deal under the spotlight.
For ordinary Kenyans, the main interest lies in whether the technology will work smoothly on election day and whether their personal information stays safe. Both the questions raised and the responses from the IEBC will likely be watched closely in the coming weeks.
